Over $60 Million in Budget Turkeys, Says Florida TaxWatch

Florida TaxWatch has identified more than $60 million in spending on 41 member projects and other budget provisions historically referred to as “turkeys” in the FY 2010-11 Budget, according to the 2010 Florida TaxWatch Turkey Watch Report released today. “The taxpayers of Florida cannot afford more than $60 million to fund these budget turkeys, especially not during these difficult economic times when their money is so badly needed for housing and feeding families and to invest in and maintain the businesses they created that generate jobs and fuel Florida’s economy,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of the nonprofit government watchdog group. [Source: Florida TaxWatch]
» Download the full report here

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MUST-KNOW FLORIDIAN He's a Florida scientist who's recently been cited by media outlets around the world. Do you know who he is? » Meet Ian R. MacDonald, an oceanographer at Florida State University who is an expert in the analysis of oil slicks. » New York Times Op-Ed by Professor MacDonald, The Measure of a Disaster

Lakeland Sen. Paula Dockery Drops Out of Governor's Race

State Sen. Paula Dockery, who mounted a late-starting underdog campaign for the Republican nomination for governor of Florida, is ending her campaign today. The Lakeland Republican had fallen behind in the money war and was tied up by her senatorial duties. She had been pushing an anti-establishment campaign against Florida Attorney Gen. Bill McCollum until this spring, when multimillionaire Rick Scott entered the Republican race promising to spend $25 million. [Source: Lakeland Ledger

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Two of Three Possible 2014 Super Bowl Sites in Florida

NFL team owners meet Tuesday to decide the location of the 2014 Super Bowl. Tampa, still basking in the glow of hosting the big game in 2009, is in the mix, up against Miami and New York. Here's a look at how the three cities stack up on some of the factors owners might consider. [Source: St. Petersburg Times]

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Florida Justices Refuse to Hear Homeowner Tax Case

The Florida Supreme Court has rejected a challenge to two state constitutional amendments that give primary homeowners tax breaks. The justices Monday refused to hear an appeal from recently arrived homeowners, who argued the amendments give those who have owned their homes a longer time an unfair advantage. The decision lets stand an appeal court ruling. It upheld the Save Our Homes Amendment that took effect in 1995 and Amendment 1 that was effective in 2008. [Source: AP]

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VIDEO: Tour Brevard County's Largest Home

Crowds have been flocking to the palatial 50-room Sutree mansion in anticipation of it going on auction Thursday. To participate, bidders must bring a $150,000 wire transfer or certified bank check. Minimum bid? $1 million, which might be a bargain considering former baseball slugger Cecil Fielder bought the home for $3.75 million in 1995 and lost it to foreclosure in 2004. [Source: Florida Today]

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OUT OF THE BOX University of Florida Study Concludes Men Worry Over Body Image “There has been growing media attention on men’s physiques,” says study co-author Heather Hausenblas. “At the same time, the ideal body type for men has become more bulked up.” The combination of these two trends has led to more men developing an obsession with getting the “ perfect” body. But “perfect,” Hausenblas says, isn’t necessarily healthy. » Read More [Source: Parade]